Commemoration of resistance fighter Leendert van der Meer
On Thursday, Oct. 9, we commemorated the fact that on this date, exactly 81 years ago, evangelist Leendert van der Meer was arrested by the Germans. Two days later on Oct. 11, Van der Meer was executed in the dunes near Camp Heesterhof.
Van der Meer provided hiding addresses for striking streetcar and railroad workers, distributed illegal magazines and hid radios. While listening to Radio Oranje on that October 9, he was arrested together with three friends who were listening in. They were harshly interrogated. Leendert van der Meer never betrayed the names of his supporters. For his refusal, in the presence of several witnesses, he had to pay the highest price. His three associates were sentenced to 1 month of hard labor.
It remains important that the brave acts of resistance are not forgotten. Mayor Scheepers laid flowers in memory of Leendert van der Meer and his acts of resistance at the monument at the C. Sipkesslag in Oostvoorne.